Nature's Ancient Religion: Orisha Worship & Ifa (Paperback)

by Charles Spencer King (Author)
Key Phrases: anti branches, divine hunter, sixteen kingdoms, Oro Ina, Babalu Aye, Orisha Oko (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Nature's Ancient Religion is 50% autobiography of the author's spiritual journey from cynic to Babalawo with Wanaldo. His rank in the world's seventh largest religion (175,000,000) is on par with a Catholic Arch Bishop. The author describes each step or level of his rise in Havana, Cuba. Readers are treated to the unique flavor of the forbidden island too. 50% is authoritative narrative of religions including: Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, indigenous and African. Anthropology is discussed including the 2007 Haplogroup mapping that is so important . Fresh pataki ( legends) are introduced, shrines honoring the Orishas are described. Core concepts of Ashe (Nature's energy), Odu, Ancestors, Dead, dreams and divination are probed and explained. The increasing role of women is discussed as well as racial tensions. Nature's Ancient Religion has 22 pages of Orisha worship book reviews, a glossary, index and the illustrations of Victorio Evelio Cué Villate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 328 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (October 16, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1440417334
• ISBN-13: 978-1440417337
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #266,756 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read, February 8, 2009

By	Awo1 (USA) - See all my reviews

Books written by Lukumi Babakawos are a rare event but this book makes for an even rarer event due to the fact that the author's first language is English. The great irony is that the author's great paternal grandfather was Head of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland!

This book is informative in a variety of ways but principally in the semi autobiographical manner that it discusses the stages of evolution from the author as a disinterested Aleyo to his initiation, as a Babalawo. The basics of Orisha worship are covered in a competent and interesting manner that is good for beginners.

Along the way we get glimpses into the current state of affairs in Cuba leading up to his initiations. As a "Yuma" (Virtually expatriate American living in Cuba), he is writing with a degree of inside knowledge into the current state of affairs that many expatriate Cubans no longer have access to. The author is at pains to state throughout that he is a new Babalawo that is repeating aspects of his elder's teachings but makes a decent effort to introduce the orisha from a standpoint that only a Babalawo can truly make. Unfortunately here lies my only criticism is that I disagree with the gender assigned to certain orisha such as Odudua for example, but if this agrees with the teaching of his house then so be it. The essence of the underlying message in the Pataki quoted, for me remains intact.

The final chapter is a frank discussion on the popular current books available in the USA on the religion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Havana!!! , November 18, 2008

By	Phillip Schmitt - See all my reviews

Excellent read!!! I'm a keen follower of environmental issues, not very religious but spiritual. I bought this book because I liked the book cover LOL. I'm glad I did. I liked it so much that I am writing my first review here. The concepts are neat(cept for sacrifice). The respect the religion has for nature is something I like. I wish we as Americans could vacation in Cuba as a tourist. I feel like I am getting screwed by my government not letting me visit. I felt I was in Havana with Mr. King at his ceremonies. Five Stars is my rating.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nature's Ancient Religion... and then some., March 15, 2009

By	Jessica Soto ""Book Goddess"" (Tampa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are two Cuba's: the one we as Americans view based on media biases, and the Real Cuba- that which is based on "man on the street" accounts. Charles Spencer King's work is an excellent example of this type of reporting, and it is filled with not just the candor he offers from his time spent there, but with an insight that we Americans wouldn't normally receive on this side of the bay. King offers an amazing view into an otherwise secretive religion, and does so in a way which allows the reader a basic and yet accurate understanding of it's beauty. Nature's Ancient Religion is a great read for a variety of reasons: it's insightful, funny, a little bit of History and Theology, as well as a
great read. The style in which it is written is very whole hearted and honest, and one can rarely get a book written with so much love these days. I was glad to have been able to get such detail on a country who time seems to have passed by. I believe that this book serves as a remarkable telling of a place where although time seems to have stood still, the lives and attitudes of it's inhabitants have kept the very fire that is Cuba very much alive. All around, I highly recommend this book.